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Dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was shown to increase the biological effectiveness of radiation damage in biomolecules and tissue. Most of the current studies focus on external beam therapy on combination with AuNP. Here we present a Monte-Carlo study (Geant4) to characterise radioactive AuNP. Radioactive 198 Au emits beta and gamma rays and is considered for applications with solid tumours. To effectively apply 198 AuNP their energy deposit characteristics have to be determined in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic properties e.g. AuNP diameter, AuNP density, and their clustering behaviour. After each decay process, the energy deposit, inelastic scattering events, kinetic energy spectrum of secondary particles within the AuNP themselves and in a spherical target volume of water up to 1 μm radius were determined. Simulations were performed for AuNP radii ranging from 2.5 nm to 20 nm radius, different cluster sizes and densities. The results show an increase of the energy deposit in the vicinity of the AuNP up to 150 nm. This effect nearly vanishes for distances up to one micron. For the case of AuNP clusters and the same activity, the enhancement of the energy deposit increases with the relative gold mass percentage and therefore can be adjusted by changing AuNP radius or clustering behaviour.
Whilst a decisive role of the particle-matrix interphase on the mechanical properties of nanoparticle-filled polymers has been demonstrated in the last years, the arbitrary design of this interphase remains a very challenging goal. In principle, this could be realized via an appropriate surfacemodification of the nanofiller prior to its incorporation in the polymer. For most systems, such as for boehmite nanofillers, however, the interaction of organic modifiers with the particle surface has not been studied in detail, and only single studies are known rather than systematic investiga- tions on the effects of different chemical functions anchored on the particle surface. In this chapter, we present an extensive study on the binding of APTES, a common silane surface modifier, with boehmite, and show that thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is a convenient and highly suitable method to elucidate the ligand binding in detail. Furthermore, a two-step coupling strategy is presented, demonstrating that based on APTES anchored to the parti- cle surface, the condensation of various carboxylic acids can be utilized to enable highly diverse chemical properties of the nanofillers, which leads to very different particle-matrix interactions in the nanocomposites.
Polymeric membranes represent a low-cost, energy efficient solution for gas separation. Recently polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have emerged as prestigious membrane materials featuring a large concentration of pores smaller than 1 nm, a BET surface area larger than 700 m2/g and high gas permeability and selectivity. Unusual chain structure combining rigid segments with sites of contortion gives rise to the intrinsic microporosity. However, this novel class of glassy polymers are prone to pronounced physical aging. The initial microporous structures approach a denser state via local small scale fluctuataions, leading to a dramatic reduction in the gas permeabilities. For the first time, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy with state-of-the-art high-resolution analyzers was employed to investigate three representative PIMs with a systematic change in chain rigidity: PIM-EA-TB 〉 PIM-1 〉 PIM-MDPH-TB. The molecular mobility, the charge transport and their response upon heating (aging) in the polymers were measured in a broad temperature range through isothermal frequency scans during different heating / cooling cycles. Multiple dielectric processes following Arrhenius behavior were observed for the investigated polymers. Local fluctuations, Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization and structural relaxation phenomena were discussed and attempted to be correlated with the structural features of PIMs. Moreover, all PIMs showed conductivity in the glassy state. The significant increase in the conductivity with increasing temperature far below the glass transition temperature of PIMs is explained in terms of the loosely packed microporous structure and the formation of local intermolecular agglomerates due to interaction of π-electrons in aromatic moieties of the polymer backbone.
High performance polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have emerged as novel materials with broad applications from gas separation to electronic devices. Sufficiently rigid, even contorted polymer chains show only limited molecular mobility, therefore undergo inefficient packing and give rise to intrinsic microporosity with pore size generally smaller than 1 nm and BET surface areas larger than 700 m2/g. Further performance optimization and long-term stability of devices incorporating PIMs rely on our understanding of structure-processing-property relationships and physical aging, in which glass transition plays a key role. Up to now no glass transition temperature (Tg) of PIMs could be detected with conventional thermal analysis techniques before degradation. Decoupling the time scales responsible for the glass transition and the thermal decomposition is a reliable strategy to overcome this. This was achieved by employing fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) based on a chip sensor, which is capable to heat and cool a small sample (ng-range) with ultrafast rates of several ten thousand K/s. FSC provides definitive evidence of glass transition of a series of PIMs with a special consideration on the chain rigidity. The determined glass transition temperature of these PIMs follows the order of the rigidity of their backbone structures. FSC provides the first clear-cut experimental evidence of the glass transition of PIM-EA-TB with a Tg of 663 K, PIM-1 of 644 K and PIM-DMDPH-TB of 630 K at a heating rate of 1Χ104 K/s. Local fluctuations are featured in glass transition of highly rigid PIMs. As conformational changes are prevented by the backbone rigidity, the glass transition must rather be assigned to local small scale fluctuations.
Hexakis(n-alkyloxy)triphenylene) (HATn) consisting of an aromatic triphenylene core and alkyl side chains are model discotic liquid crystal (DLC) systems forming a columnar mesophase. In the mesophase, the molecules of HATn self-assemble in columns, which has one-dimensional high charge carrier mobility along the columns. Here, a homologous series of HATn with different length of the alkyl chain (n=5,6,8,10,12) is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and advanced calorimetric techniques including fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). The investigation of the phase behavior was done utilizing DSC experiments and the influence of the alkyl chain length on the phase behavior was revealed. By the dielectric investigations a γ-relaxation due to localized fluctuations as well as two glassy dynamics the αcore and αalkyl relaxation were observed in the temperature range of the plastic crystalline phase. Moreover, the observed glassy dynamics were further studied employing advanced calorimetry. All observed relaxation processes are attributed to the possible specific molecular fluctuations and discussed in detail. From the results a transition at around n=8 from a rigid constrained (n=5,6) to a softer system (n=10,12) on a molecular lenght scale was revealed with increasing alkyl chain length. A counterbalance of two competing effects of a polyethylene like behavior of the alkyl chains in the intercolumnar domains and self-organized confinement is discussed in the context of a hindered glass transition. The results were confirmed by in- and quasielastic neutron scattering
For the first time, the molecular mobility of two linear-shaped tetramethylated guanidinium triflates ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) having different length of alkyl chains was investigated by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). SHS was carried out by differential AC-chip calorimetry at higher frequencies and temperature modulated DSC at lower frequencies. These ILCs can form a hexagonal ordered columnar mesophase. Two relaxation processes were found by BDS for both samples. At low temperatures, a γ-processes is observed which is assigned to specific localized fluctuations. At higher temperatures, α1-processes take place. α2 processes were also detected by SHS but with a completely different temperature dependence of the relaxation times. Different molecular assignments of α1- and α2-processes are suggested. At even higher temperatures, conductivity was detected by BDS.
Collective Orientational Order and Phase Behavior of a Discotic Liquid Crystal under Confinement
(2018)
Discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) are a promising class of soft matter for electronic applications. This is due to their ability to self-organize into columns in a hexagonal columnar mesophase, driven by the overlapping of the π orbitals of their aromatic cores. This leads to a high charge-carrier mobility along the column axis. Previous studies on DLCs showed that their properties, such as phase transition temperatures and enthalpies, are susceptible to nanoconfinement. In this study, 2,3,6,7,10,11 hexakis[hexyloxy] triphenylene (HAT6) was confined into parallel aligned cylindrical nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes by melt infiltration. Furthermore, the pore surfaces of a series of membranes were chemically modified, resulting in a more hydrophobic pore surface than the unmodified ones. Collective orientational order and phase behavior of HAT6 confined into modified and unmodified nanopores of AAO were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry respectively.
The molecular dynamics and ionic conductivity of ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) forming a columnar mesophase, two linear-shaped tetramethylated guanidinium triflates ILCs having different lengths of alkyl chains, were investigated by a combination of Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) and Specific Heat Spectroscopy (SHS). Three processes were detected by BDS; at low temperature γ-process, at higher temperatures α-process and at even higher temperatures conductivity. The γ-process indicates localized fluctuations, and the α-process designates cooperative fluctuations. Slightly different restrictions were found for conductivity processes of LC536 and LC537 due to the slightly different lengths of alky chains. The conductivity mechanisms in the plastic crystalline and the columnar mesophase have been revealed by BDS and different charge carriers were assigned for the different phases. Furthermore, the cooperative dynamics were also probed by SHS. The cooperative dynamics probed by the different techniques (BDS and SHS) compared, and assigned to the different restrictions on the cooperativity due to the difference in the sensitivity of the techniques.
Collective Orientational Order and Phase Behavior of a Discotic Liquid Crystal under Confinement
(2018)
Discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) are a promising class of soft matter for electronic applications. This is due to their ability to self-organize into columns in a hexagonal columnar mesophase, driven by the overlapping of the π orbitals of their aromatic cores. This leads to a high charge-carrier mobility along the column axis. Embedding liquid crystals into nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) results in a 2D nanoconfinement of these materials. This confinement affects their properties, compared to the bulk, such as phase transition temperatures and enthalpies, molecular mobility, and crystallization.
In this study, 2,3,6,7,10,11 hexakis[hexyloxy] triphenylene (HAT6) was confined into parallel aligned cylindrical nanopores of AAO membranes by melt infiltration. The membrane as confining hosts used have varying pore diameters, from 10 nm to 160 nm, covering a broad pore size range, thus, a better understanding of the confinement effect on phase behavior and molecular configuration in the pores. Furthermore, it is aimed to obtain axial ordering or to increase degree of axial ordering by chemically modifying the surfaces of the pores. Therefore, the pore surfaces the membranes were chemically modified, resulting in a more hydrophobic pore surface than the unmodified ones. The phase behavior was explored by a power-compensated DSC allowing the detecting of small changes in the phase behavior. In the literature, dielectric spectroscopy was demonstrated as a method to monitor molecular order inside the pores. Here, we also investigate the collective orientational order, corresponding to dominating molecular ordering, by dielectric spectroscopy.
Since discovery of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs), consisting of a disklike rigid aromatic core and flexible alkyl chains attached to the core, dating back to Chandrasekhar’s work in 1977, they have been extensively investigated to reveal their fundamental properties and potential for applications. The researches on DLCs in last decades showed that DLCs can be considered as promising materials for organic electronic applications since they exhibit one dimensional high charge mobility along the column axis in a columnar mesophase. The mobilies of the rigid aromatic core and the flexible alkyl chains can influence their application properites, e.g. the charge carrier mobility, therefore, it needs to be explored in detailed.
In this study, a series of dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotics, forming a columnar mesophase, were investigated to reveal the influence of the functionalization on phase behavior, molecular dynamics and as well as conductivity. The molecular mobility of the discotics was probed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). In addition to conductivity and localized dynamics, glassy dynamics were also observed. The phase behavior of the material was explored by a power-compansated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Beside the phase transition temperatures and enthalpies, thermal glass transitions were found for all the materials. Moreover, the glassy dynamics were further investigated by Flash DSC, which is a chip-based calorimetry technique allows fast heating and cooling rates as high as 10000K/s.
For the first time, the molecular mobility of two linear-shaped tetramethylated guanidinium triflates ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) having different length of alkyl chains was investigated by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and specific heat spectroscopy (SHS). By self-assembly, these ILCs can form a hexagonal ordered mesophase besides plastic crystalline phases and the isotropic state. SHS was carried out by differential AC-chip calorimetry at higher frequencies and temperature modulated DSC at lower frequencies.
Two relaxation processes were found by BDS for both samples. At low temperatures, a γ-processes is observed which is assigned to specific localized fluctuations. At higher temperatures, α1-processes take place. α2 processes were also detected by SHS but with a completely different temperature dependence of the relaxation times. Different molecular assignments of α1- and α2-processes are suggested. At even higher temperatures, conductivity was detected by BDS. An increase in the DC conductivity by four orders of magnitude at the phase transition from the plastic crystalline to the hexagonal columnar mesophase is found. This result is traced to a change in the charge transport mechanism from a delocalized electron hopping in the stacked aromatic systems (in the plastic phase) to one dominated by an ionic conduction in the quasi-1D ion channels formed along the supermolecular columns in the ILC hexagonal mesophases.
In this study, the molecular dynamics of a series of dipole functionalized triphenylene-based discotics, forming a columnar mesophase, were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). In addition to conductivity and localized dynamics, glassy dynamics were also observed. At higher temperatures an α1-processes and at low temperatures an α2 processes were detected having a completely different temperature dependence of its relaxation times. Different molecular assignments of α1- and α2-processes are suggested. The phase behavior of the material was explored under helium purge down to 100 K by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Besides the phase transition temperatures and enthalpies, one or two thermal glass transitions were found for all the materials. Moreover, the glassy dynamics were further investigated by Flash DSC, which is a chip-based calorimetry technique allowing for fast heating and cooling rates as high as 10000K/s.
AbstractMicroplastics (MP) can be detected in all environmental systems. Marine and terrestrial aquatic systems, especially the transported suspended solids, have often been the focus of scientific investigations in the past. Sediments of aquatic river systems, on the other hand, were often ignored due to the time‐consuming sample preparation and analysis procedures. Spectroscopic measurement methods counting particle numbers are hardly suitable as detection methods, because there are plenty of natural particles next to a small number of MP particles. Integral methods, such as thermoanalytical methods are determining the particle mass independently of the inorganic components.In this study, a workflow for sample preparation via density separation and subsequent analysis by thermal extraction desorption‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is presented, which leads to representative and homogeneous samples and allows fast and robust MP mass content measurements suitable for routine analysis. Polymers were identified and quantified in all samples. Polyethylene and styrene‐butadiene rubber are the dominant polymers, besides polypropylene and polystyrene. Overall, total polymer masses between 1.18 and 337.0 µg/g could be determined. Highest MP concentrations in riverbed sediment are found in sites characterized by low flow velocities in harbors and reservoirs, while MP concentrations in sandy/gravelly bed sediments with higher flow velocities are small.
Inputs of plastic impurities into the environment via the application of fertilizers are regulated in Germany and the EU by means of ordinances. Robust and fast analytical methods are the basis of legal regulations. Currently, only macro- and large microplastic contents (>1 mm) are measured. Microplastics (1–1,000 µm), are not yet monitored. Thermal analytical methods are suitable for this purpose, which can determine the mass content and can also be operated fully automatically in routine mode. Thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) allows the identification of polymers and the determination of mass contents in solid samples from natural environments. In accordance with the German or European Commission (EC) Fertiliser Ordinance, composting plants should be monitored for microplastic particles with this method in the future. In this context a compost plant was sampled. At the end of the rotting process, the compost was sieved and separated in a coarse (>1 mm) and a fine fraction (<1 mm). The fine fraction was processed using density separation comparing NaCl and NaI as possible salt alternative and screened for microplastic masses by TED-GC/MS with additional validation and quality assurance experiments. With TED-GC/MS total microplastics mass contents of 1.1–3.0 μg/mg in finished compost could be detected with polyethylene mainly. What differs much to the total mass of plastics in the coarse fraction with up to 60 μg/mg, which were visually searched, identified via ATR-FTIR and gravimetrically weighted.
The scientific and practical challenge of detecting microplastics (MPs) in the environment in a targeted and rapid manner is solved by innovative coupling of thermogravimetric analysis with mass spectrometric methods.
Fast identification and quantitative determination of most thermoplastic polymers and elastomers is possible by using thermal extraction Desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TED-GC–MS).
The ubiquitous presence of unintended plastics in the environment has been an issue in scientific studies and public debate. Recent studies on MP findings are focused mainly on aquatic systems, while little is known about MP in terrestrial ecosystems. Fermentation residues, sewage sludge and compost are secondary raw material fertilizers and represent a possible input path of plastics in soils. Soils are final sinks for micro plastics. In this context, samples were taken in a combined fermentation and composting plant in Germany to get real compost samples which were investigated. Existing regulations include requirements for total contents of plastics in combination with visual determination methods. In order to avoid possible underdeterminations, precise detection methods should be used in the future from a scientific point of view. For this reason, the use of thermoanalytical detection is an appropriate way. Spectroscopic methods such as Raman or FTIR are not suitable for determining the mass content of microplastic, as these output a particle number. In Germany, compost is a potential vector for MP in soil due to its use as fertilizer. Therefore, we show the application of TThermoExtractionDesorption-GasChromatography-MassSpectrometry (TED-GC-MS) as a fast, integral analytical technique, which in contrast to the spectroscopic methods does not measure the number of particles but a mass content. In a nitrogen atmosphere the sample is pyrolyzed to 600 °C and an excerpt of the pyrolysis gases is collected on a solid phase adsorber. Afterwards, the decomposition gases are desorbed and measured in a GC-MS system. Characteristic pyrolysis products of each polymer can be used to identify the polymer type and determine the mass contents in the present sample. For the first time the work represents a routine procedure for the determination of plastics in composts and fermentation residues. This current study will also give inside in various important aspects of sample preparation, which include a meaningful size fractionation, a necessary density separation regarding the removal of inorganic contents and at finally a homogenization.
The formation of microplastic (MP) particles (1-1000 µm) is mostly related to physicochemical degradation processes of macroplastics. Photooxidative damage is often set as the initial degradation process, which leads to embrittlement of the plastics. Mechanical processes then lead to further fragmentation and the formation of MP particles. In the environment, this can be associated with UV exposure through direct radiation from the sun, which leads to radical formation in the polymer systems on the one hand and radical formation of oxygen on the other. The result is material embrittlement usually caused by chain shortening in the polymeric system. Due to specific ecosystem conditions, the damaged polymer is fragmented by erosive, abrasive processes or wave action.
According to reference material topic for MP analysis, pristine and artificially weathered polymers are needed. Starting from granulate or macroplastics, these can be pulverised with different techniques, bottled and stored until usage. The bottled powders need to be homogen and stable over a defined time interval regarding to a specific property.
This work deals with different polymer types, aged and non-aged. It tries to answer the question under which storage conditions polymers will be stable in particle size. The powders are characterized for chemical composition and shape with FTIR, DSC and SEM. Particle size distribution was measured by laser diffraction with wet and dry dispersion. Artificially pre-aged materials seem to be more vulnerable for further aging and less stable in particle size distribution measurements.
Im der Präsentation werden, neben der Möglichkeit der Mikroplastikquantifizierung, auf weitere Anwendungsfelder der Methode TED-GC/MS eigegangen. Dies beinhaltet die Erfassung von Degradationsprodukten UV/O2 geschädigter Polymere und die Detektion von Additiven. Die Optimierung der Methode betreffend Messzeit und materialspezifischer Messanforderung sind ebenfalls Gegenstand.
Microplastic reference material is required for validation and harmonization purposes. This includes the analysis of the pure polymer particles and the validation of the respective measurement methods. In addition, there is the harmonization of different laboratories. On the other hand, sample preparation methods must be validated and harmonized with regard to their recovery and subsequent analysis in the respective matrices. For this purpose, we produce reference material candidates in the form of tablets with different mass fractions and particle numbers of polyethelene terephthalate. In the presentation first measurement results by µ-Raman, µ-FTIR, pyrolysis-GC-MS and TED-GC/MS will be presented.
Microplastics are solid polymeric particles with a size of 1-1000 μm (ISO/TR21960:2020), which can be emitted from mismanaged waste into the environment, where microplastic is now ubiquitous. What happens to the microplastics after ending up in the environment, which risks entail and what effects it has are not sufficiently clarified up to now. The most certain issue is that the plastic particles in the environment are exposed to natural ageing, are fragmenting and degrading, such that the potential risk to ecosystems and humans is increasing due to the formation of smaller and smaller particles, potentially even including nanoplastics, if these are ingested before their further degradation. Therefore, and in view of a possible registration of polymers under REACH in the future, it is necessary to investigate the degradation of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) regarding hydrolysis stability to evaluate possible risks and effects to the environment.
In the present studies, one thermoplastic polyurethane – with and without hydrolysis stabilizer – is exposed to different pH buffers at 50°C for 14 days to investigate hydrolysis depending to different pH values (acid, alkali and neutral) based on OECD guideline TG111. The hydrolysis behavior of the TPUs is characterized by surface sensitive techniques and on bulk properties. First degradation effects can be detected by SEC. Hydrolysis, especially under acidic and basic conditions, leads to chain scissions to lower molecular masses. Furthermore, the degradation products which indicate the structure of the bulk material were detected by thermo-analytical methods like TGA-FTIR for the small degradation products and the thermo extraction/desorption-gaschromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) for bigger degradation products. Acidic and basic hydrolysis shows the same degradation behavior which is caused by a preferred scission of the ester and urethane functionalities. Surface-sensitive techniques such as XPS demonstrate less carboxylic acid formation at acidic than at alkaline pH value in the TPU without stabilator, where as the TPU with stabilator ages to the same extent in both pH ranges. Altogether, the hydrolysis of TPUs – independently of added stabilizer or not – in acid and alkali environment is accelerated compared to the neutral hydrolysis.
Boehmite nanoparticles has been successfully functionalized with APTES. After APTES functionalization further modification with tailored molecules e.g. via carboxylic acids is possible. The tailored surface functionalization is strongly enhanced by improved coupling protocols. Arbitrary variation of the functionalization degree is possible. Thereby the temperature stable APTES functionalization enables a wide range of functional groups.
By TGA-MS analysis strong evidence for the bonding situation of the APTES on the boehmite surface has been found. Additionally first experiments has been performed to predict the polymer-particle compatibility enhancement via reverse wetting angle measurements with AFM.
Reference materials are essential to analyze the impact of micro- and nanoplastics. The particle size D50 has been chosen as property of interest. They can be produced top-down by milling. For size separation down to a particle size D50 of 50 µm sieving is suitable while smaller particle sizes can be obtained by filtration. After production it is important to control the stability because microplastic in the size range below 10 µm tend to agglomerate.
Water as side effect of reinforcing boehmite filler Local changes in anhydride cured epoxy resin
(2019)
Nanocomposites offer wide opportunities for lightweight constructions and enable reduction of weight and volume. Beside macroscopic toughening nanoparticle reinforced polymers show a soft interface around boehmite (AlOOH) filler nanoparticles. A related strong interaction between boehmite and the anhydride cured resin system is widely suspected in literature but not determined by structural Analysis. Determination of the molecular structure is important to allow simulations approaching the real system and predict future reinforcing effects.
DRIFT (diffuse refletance infrared fourier transformed) spectra of the boehmite reinforced anhydride cured epoxy show significant changes in the molecular structure compared to the neat polymer. Further investigations of the interactions between the single components of the resin system and the boehmite filler pointed out reactions between released water released from the boehmite filler and the anhydride hardener or amine accelerator. This leads to the discussion of competing polymerisation mechanisms that highly influence the polymer properties. Ongoing experiments and literature research approve that this impact of water is able to locally change the stoichiometrie, alter the curing mechanism or support an inhomogeneous crosslink density.
New Focus On Boehmite-Reinforced Nanocomposites Molecular Approach With Advanced FTIR-Techniques
(2019)
By FTIR-study it was possible to proof a chemical reaction between boehmite and the hardener of anhydride cured epoxy resins. Future studies can assume that the chemical environment of the resin system is changed in the surrounding of boehmite nanoparticles. This highly affects especially localized properties.
Micro- and nanoplastic particles became a topic of public concern all over the world e.g. in water, soil, sludge and air. For a profound risk assessment, it is necessary to identify the origins, hotspots, or transport between different media. Therefore, a representative repeatable analysis is required and reference materials (RM) to proof and compare methods.
The basis of MNP investigations is a harmonized analysis which includes sampling, sample preparation and detection. In recent years, spectroscopic methods like µRaman and µFTIR for the determination of particle numbers or thermoanalytical methods like Pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) and Thermo extraction/ desorption gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) for mass determination have proven to be particularly suitable.
The technical committees (TC) of ISO TC 61 “plastics” and TC 147 “water quality" are working on harmonisation processes on international level. For all standardization approaches, it is necessary that the detection methods and analysis processes can be validated. Therefore, BAM develops reference material for microplastic (MP) analysis for several years with focus on the most common polymers PE, PP, PS, PET and PA.
MP particles with a close to reality fragment shape are obtained by cryomilling and sieving. For sample preparation purposes with mass detection methods MP particles are pressed into pills with a water-soluble matrix. Thereby losses due to sample preparation e.g. filtration are included in the verification of an analysis.
To ensure a constant quality throughout all MP RM batches the homogeneity and stability is controlled according to ISO Guide 35. Next to TED-GC/MS measurements particle size distribution, infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry spectra are taken as accompanying parameters.
This presentation aims to introduce into the MP RM production process with ensured quality and special focus on pointing out customized setups for particle comminution, separation, and characterization for standardization.
µ-FTIR spectroscopy is a widely used technique in microplastics research. It allows to simultaneously characterize the material of the small particles, fibers or fragments, and to specify their size distribution and shape. Modern detectors offer the possibility to perform two-dimensional imaging of the sample providing detailed information. However, datasets are often too large for manual evaluation calling for automated microplastic identification. Library search based on the comparison with known reference spectra has been proposed to solve this problem.
To supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Groups of similar spectra in the prepared data set were identified with cluster analysis. Members of different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types whereas the variation observed within a cluster gives a hint on the chemical variability of microplastics of the same type. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster can be used for supervised learning. The obtained classification was tested on an independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search approach.
Working towards a comprehensive understanding of introduction pathways, number, and fate of micro¬plastics in the environment, suitable analytical methods are a precondition. Micro-spectroscopic methods are probably the most widely used techniques. Besides their ability to measure single spectra of a particle or fiber, most modern FTIR- and Raman microscopes are also capable of two-dimensional imaging. This is very appealing to microplastics research because it allows to simultaneously characterize the analytes chemically as well as their size (distribution) and shape.
Two-dimensional imaging on extensive sample areas with FTIR-micros¬copes is facilitated by focal plane array (FPA) detectors resulting in large data sets comprised of up to several million spectra. With numbers too large for manual inspection of each individual spectrum, automated data evaluation is inevitable. Identifying different polymers based on the comparison with known reference spectra (library search) has proven to be a suitable approach. For that purpose, FTIR-spectra of common plastics can be collected to create an individual reference library.
To Supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, looking for known substances via library search, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved to be a helpful tool to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Subsequently, cluster analysis was used to find groups of similar spectra. Spectra found in different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types. The variation observed within clusters gives a hint on chemical variability of microplastics of the same polymer found in the sample. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster/polymer type were used to build a classification model which allowed to quickly predict the polymer type based on the FTIR spectrum. Classification was tested on a second, independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search procedure.
Despite abundant evidence of the occurrence of microplastics (MP) – these are particles smaller 5 mm – in aquatic environments, little is known about the accumulation of plastic in terrestrial environments, especially in soils.
Possible major input pathways could be the use of plastic mulching, the use of compost, sewage sludge or residues from biogas facilities as fertilizers, as well as littering in urban areas. To estimate the MP pollution, the development of reliable, fast methods for sampling, sample preparation, and detection is needed. The obtained data must be representative of the sampled environmental compartment and measurements from different environmental compartments must be comparable. A first breakthrough is an application of ThermoExtractionDesorption-Gas Chromatography-MassSpectrometry (TED-GC-MS) for the detection of MP, including tire abrasives. This method allows the determination of mass content within a few hours and only a minimum of sample preparation for samples from aquatic environments is needed.
However, in contrast to filtrate samples from aquatic environments, sediment or soil samples need an enrichment of MP. Whereas MP concentration from marine sediments can be obtained by floatation and density Separation techniques using NaCl solutions, the extraction or separation from soils proves to be more difficult, as plastic particles are often part of organo-mineral aggregates within the soil matrix.
The aim of this study is the development of a practicable processing guideline for representatively taken soil samples in order to concentrate microplastics, without complex and time-consuming treatment steps. Dispersants or detergents can be applied to decompose the soil matrix, but each preparation step carries the risk of crosscontamination of the sample and prolongs the preparation procedure.
For this reason, we choose ZnCl2-solution with a density of 1.7 g/cm3, which include the densities of relevant MP types (0.9-1.7 g/cm3). It was tested to achieve both, disaggregation and separation as it decomposes organic material and dissolves carbonates. Also, ZnCl2 is inert to the precipitation of undesirable salts and Carbonates during the process of density separation, as polytungstate solution does. ZnCl2 can be reused after stepwise filtering (7 µm, 1.5 µm, 0.7 µm). Thus, disposal costs can be reduced. Efficiency and reproducibility of the sample preparation as well as the degradation behavior of MP under the present conditions were demonstrated with model samples.
Real sampling campaigns were conducted at several agricultural sites and floodplains in south-west Germany. The sampling was performed according to practice for soil sampling, using adequate sampling strategies (pattern of sampling, number of field samples, homogenization, etc). The lab sample was fractioned into three size classes (5-100 µm, 100-1000 µm, and 1-5 mm). The identification and determination of mass fraction were done using TED-GC-MS.
Im statistischen Mittel steht eine Windkraftanlage (WKA) in Deutschland alle 6 Jahre wegen eines Schadens an den Rotorblättern und verursacht Kosten von 20k€-40k€ infolge Ertragsausfall und Reparaturkosten. Bei über 30.000 WKA in Deutschland verursacht dies jährlichen Kosten von 100-200 Mio. €. Zu 70% sind die Ursachen Fertigungsfehler. Diesem Themenkomplex widmet sich FB-5.3 in Kooperation mit FBs der Zerstörungsfreien Prüfung (Abt. 8) schon seit Jahren.
Im aktuellen Projekt geht es um einen vorzeitigen Verschleiß der Rotorblätter infolge der Verwendung gealterter Glasfaser-Rovings. (GF). Die Entwicklung moderner Windkraftanlagen hatte in Europa seinen Ursprung in den 90er Jahren. OEMs und GF-Hersteller waren dicht beisammen. Die Globalisierung des Marktes führt heute zu einer weltweiten Verschiffung der GF in feucht-warmen Containern. Je nach Beschaffenheit (Chemie) der Schlichten (Oberflächenbehandlung) von GF können diese stark altern (Hydrolyse-Effekte) und die Festigkeit kann im Bauteil um bis zu 50% abgemindert sein.
In einer Kooperation mit der Rotorblattallianz, einem Zusammenschluss der OEMs, Halbzeugherstellern und Forschungsinstituten, wurden schon vor 5 Jahren in einem Forschungsprojekt (FB-5.3; VH 5538) die chemischen Mechanismen der Alterung exemplarisch für eine Glasfaser-Roving-Type aufgeklärt. Im aktuellen Projekt (FB-5.3; VH 5304) wird ein beschleunigtes Alterungsverfahren (erhöhte Temperatur und Feuchte) am Roving im un-impregnierten Zustand entwickelt und die Festigkeit nachfolgend nach Einbettung in eine Epoxid-Harz-Matrix bestimmt. Je nach Alterungszustand zeigt sich eine Abnahme der Zwischenfaserbruchfestigkeit von bis zu 50%. Nicht alle Glasfaser-Roving-Typen zeigen diesen Effekt. Es ist gelungen für OEMs und Halbzeughersteller ein handhabbares Verfahren zur innerbetrieblichen Qualitätssicherung zu entwickeln, da die wenigsten Firmen über komplexe Analyseverfahren, wie an der BAM, verfügen.
Inspired by the chemistry of mussel adhesive proteins, polydopamine (PDA has been shown as one of the most versatile platforms for altering the properties and incorporating new functionalities to nearby any material surface despite its nature. Rich chemistry of PDA enables broad variety of surface modification and diverse secondary reactions that makes it extremely interesting for a wide range of application including biomedical field, e.g., drug delivery, adhesives, cell adhesion, biosensing. Despite high potential of polydopamine, the lack of deposition control and precision in existed methods limits their applications in microdevices and miniaturized functional systems like, for example, MEMS, microfluidic and sensorics.
Herein, we demonstrate a novel maskless approach for surface micropatterning with polydopamine based on Multiphoton Lithography that overcomes present limitations. Neither strong oxidants, metal ions nor adjustment of pH to alkaline is required by this technique. The spatial resolution down to 0.8 µm has been achieved which is at least an order of magnitude smaller than shown by other existed methods. We are able to control the morphology and thickness of the micropattern by altering fabrication parameters allowing structure gradient.
Apart from the glass substrate, we achieved PDA patterning at surfaces of different nature such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene terephthalate, silicon wafers, and fluorinated glass coverslips. Post-modification of polydopamine micropatterns with protein enzyme like trypsin is demonstrated to highlight its sensing potential.
Presented in this work microfabrication technique empowers advanced applications of mussel-inspired materials in single-molecule bioassays, sensors and other complex microdevices.
Thermosetting materials are gaining increasing attention in many structural composite applications. However, the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) into polymer matrix is a promising approach to enhance their functional characteristics, and thus, to enable the development of thermosets advanced application. It has been shown that Boehmite Alumina (BA) used as nanofillers can improve different parameters of polymers. This NPs can be easily tailored enabling desirable interactions with a big range of polymers. However, the overall effect of nanofiller depends on many factors, therefore, making it hard to predict the resulted performance of nanocomposites. In the current contribution we would like to discuss the impact of Boehmite NPs on two different epoxy resin nanocomposite systems with the focus on the possible influence mechanisms of this nanofiller.
As the first system, UV curable Cycloaliphatic-Epoxy Oligosiloxane (CEOS) resin/Boehmite nanocomposites were investigated by FTIR, TGA, DSC and T-SEM. It was observed that incorporation of BA leads to the reinforcement of glass transition (Tg) and overall thermal stability indicating the attractive interactions between BA and CEOS network. In addition, an increase in epoxy conversion of CEOS was concluded for nanocomposites assuming that particles are involved in UV polymerisation processes.
The second epoxy/Boehmite nanocomposite is based on the bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with methyl tetrahydrophtalic acid anhydride (MTHPA). Thermomechanical as well as nanomechanical properties of this material were investigated by DMTA and IR spectroscopy and the advanced Intermodulation AFM, respectively. In contrast to the first system, it was found that BA leads to a decrease of Tg and crosslink density of the polymer while the young’s modulus of the composite and local stiffness of polymer matrix increase significantly.
As a result, the versatile role of Boehmite was detected depending on the investigated systems. Based on the obtained results, the parameters indicating property-efficient epoxy/Boehmite system are suggested.
Inspired by the chemistry of mussel adhesive proteins, polydopamine (PDA) exhibits strong adhesion to nearly any kind of organic or inorganic surface and shows high ability for surface post-modification and secondary reactions. As a result, PDA has been widely used as a base adlayer to enable versatile surface chemistry and functionalization. It has shown great potential in wide range of applications including biomedical field (e.g., drug delivery, adhesives, photothermal therapy, bone and tissue engineering, cell adhesion, biosensing). However, implementation of PDA in microdevices is still hindered by insufficient spatial and temporal control of excited deposition methods.
In this work we present a novel approach to fabricate tunable micropatterned substrates where mussel-inspired chemistry provides base for various surface modification [2]. Current approach applies Multiphoton Lithography (MPL) to initiate local PDA formation, and, therefore, does not require use of microstamp or photomask. As a result, the microstructures of complex designs can be produced with the spatial resolution down to 0.8 μm (Figure 1). The desired design can be easily altered by adjusting the stl model or the fabrication code. Unlike the conventional deposition of PDA based on dopamine auto-oxidation, our method does not require presence of strong oxidants, metal ions or alkaline pH. Herein-demonstrated deposition approach will significantly facilitate applications of polydopamine and other mussel-inspired materials in microdevices and high-resolution active microcomponents (e.g., in MEMS and microfluidics).
Adjustment of MPL parameters revealed that the morphology and thickness of resulted PDA microstructures can be controlled by altering the laser power and its scanning velocity. As a result, it also enables the production of micropatterns with structural gradient. Apart from the glass substrate, we performed PDA patterning at surfaces of different nature such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene terephthalate, silicon wafers, and fluorinated glass coverslips. We tested different composition of dopamine solution for its ability of PDA buildup. Solutions containing Tris buffer, phosphate buffer or DI water only as well as different pH (6.0, 7.0 and 8.5) could be successfully applied for high-precision PDA micropatterning. Moreover, the effect of antioxidants and purging of the solution with oxygen and nitrogen was investigated. In all cases, no decrease of deposition efficiency was observed. The chemical nature of PDA was confirmed by locally recorded vibrational and x-ray photoelectron spectra. To ensure post-modification potential of MPL deposited PDA we demonstrated one-step deposition of micropatterns with trypsin. Obtained bio-functionalised surface can be further applied as a protein sensing active microelement.
Polydopamine (PDA) is one of the simplest and most versatile approaches for forming an excellent binding exterior to confer new functionalities to nearly any material surface. Inspired by nature, it mimics the behavior of mussels and can be easily deposited on virtually all types of inorganic and organic substrates, including superhydrophobic surfaces. Moreover, PDA exhibits high potential for surface modification and diversified secondary reactions that makes it extremely interesting for a wide range of application including biomedical field, e.g., drug delivery, adhesives, cell adhesion, biosensing. PDA has undergone significant expansion in its applications and is one of the most attractive areas within the materials field. Nevertheless, PDA integration in microdevices is still constrained by poor spatial and temporal control of excited deposition methods.
Herein, we demonstrate a novel maskless approach for PDA micropatterning based on Direct Laser Writing that overcomes present limitations. The pattern is formed upon exposure of the dopamine solution by light produced by tightly-focused fs NIR laser that scans substrate surface accordingly to the selected pattern design. Neither strong oxidants, metal ions nor adjusting pH to alkaline is required by this technique to perform dopamine polymerization. Our method achieves the PDA micropatterns with the spatial resolution of 0.8 µm, at least an order of magnitude smaller than what is possible with other PDA microplanning techniques. Some examples of PDA patterns are shown in Figure 1. The here introduced PDA deposition technique will uniquely unravel applications of polydopamine and other catecholamine-based mussel-inspired materials in various multifunctional systems and microdevices (e.g., MEMS elements, microfluidics).
The chemical nature of PDA was confirmed by locally recorded vibrational and x-ray photoelectron spectra. Moreover, the morphology and thickness of PDA microstructure can be controlled by the laser power and scanning velocity revealing the possibility of fabricating the structures with gradient. In most of the applied conditions the increase of the laser intensity and decrease of the scanning velocity would lead to the thicker PDA pattern. Different morphologies from smooth and bulky-like to grain like has been obtained.
PDA was produced in the presence of tris buffer, phosphate buffer and DI water only. We also tested the effect of the solution pH applying pH 6.0, 7.0 and 8.5. Furthermore, the effect of antioxidants and purging of the solution with oxygen and nitrogen was investigated. Summarizing, we could see that the structures could be produced in all the given conditions, however their thickness and quality, morphology and roughness would differ. We did not observe negative impact of the antioxidants and nitrogen purging on the performance of PDA build up indicating that the PDA formation mechanism is different to common autooxidation. The current mechanism is based on the interaction of dopamine molecules with the photoinitiator added to solution as active to DLW laser light component.
Apart from the glass substrate, we achieved PDA patterning at surfaces of different nature such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene terephthalate, silicon wafers, and fluorinated glass coverslips.
We also performed facile posts-modification of the PDA surface with protein enzymes like trypsin that was confirmed by XPS. Obtained bioactive pattern could be further integrated in the protein sensing devices.
Presented in this work DLW-based microfabrication technique and the possibilities for further PDA surface post-functionalization empowers advanced applications of this material in single-molecule bioassays, sensors and other complex microdevices.
Inspired by the chemistry of mussel adhesive proteins, polydopamine (PDA) is one of the simplest and most versatile approaches to confer new functionalities to nearly any material surface. Moreover, PDA exhibits high potential for surface modification and diversified secondary reactions that makes it extremely interesting for a wide range of application including biomedical field, e.g., drug delivery, adhesives, cell adhesion, biosensing. PDA has undergone significant expansion in its applications and is one of the most attractive areas within the materials field. Nevertheless, PDA integration in microdevices is still constrained by poor spatial and temporal control of excited deposition methods.
Herein, we demonstrate a novel maskless approach for PDA micropatterning based on Direct Laser Writing (DLW) that overcomes present limitations. The pattern is formed upon exposure of the dopamine solution by light produced by tightly-focused fs NIR laser that scans substrate surface accordingly to the selected pattern design. Neither strong oxidants, metal ions nor adjusting pH to alkaline is required by this technique. Our method achieves the PDA micropatterns with the spatial resolution of 0.8 µm, at least an order of magnitude smaller than what is possible with other PDA microplanning techniques. The here introduced PDA deposition technique will uniquely unravel applications of polydopamine and other catecholamine-based mussel-inspired materials in various multifunctional systems and microdevices (e.g., MEMS elements, microfluidics).
Adjustment of MPL parameters revealed that the morphology and thickness of resulted PDA microstructures can be controlled by altering the laser power and its scanning velocity. As a result, it also enables the production of micropatterns with structural gradient.
Apart from the glass substrate, we achieved PDA patterning at surfaces of different nature such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene terephthalate, silicon wafers, and fluorinated glass coverslips.
The chemical nature of PDA was confirmed by locally recorded vibrational and x-ray photoelectron spectra. To ensure post-modification potential of MPL deposited PDA we demonstrated one-step deposition of micropatterns with trypsin. Obtained bio-functionalised surface can be further applied as a protein sensing active microelement.
Presented in this work DLW-based microfabrication technique and the possibilities for further PDA surface post-functionalization empowers advanced applications of this material in single-molecule bioassays, sensors and other complex microdevices.
Hybrid materials have attracted growing interest during the last decade, particularly due to their extraordinary properties. Cycloalyphatic-epoxy oligosiloxane (CEO) resin was shown to be a good candidate as a barrier material for the encapsulation purposes. Incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles such as Boehmite (BA) into polymers was observed to modify their specific characteristics, in particular, thermal, thermo-oxidative and barrier ones. In this work, novel BA-embedded organic inorganic hybrid nanocomposite material was engineered by combining the advantageous properties of hybrid polymers and nanoparticle enhancement effect. Impacts of particles on the photocuring kinetics, degree of crosslinking and the resultant changes in the thermal properties of the cured films were investigated. CEO synthesis via condensation reaction was confirmed by 1H and 29Si NMR. The particle distribution within the films was verified by SEM including transmission mode coupled with EDX elemental analysis. Photocuring kinetics and thermal properties of the films were studied by in situ FTIR spectroscopy and DSC with TGA, respectively.
Coating materials are nowadays often required to deliver not only sufficient barrier performance and suited optical appearance but a broad range of other functional properties. The incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) is known to improve many key characteristics and provide new functionalities in polymer materials. Presented work aims to prepare and characterize an organic-inorganic coating material designed to bring together advantageous properties of hybrid materials and reinforcement effect delivered from the inorganic NPs embedment.
Siloxane-based hybrid resins hold great advantages as coating materials as their properties can be tuned between those of polymers and those of glasses, thus, the compositions with superior thermal and mechanical properties can be achieved. We used Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Oligosiloxane (CEOS) resin as a polymeric matrix where the network formation was achieved by UV induced cationic polymerisation. Boehmite Alumina (BA) nanoparticles were added to CEOS resin as a reinforcing agent and resultant material was processed into films either by bar-coating or by spin-coating depending on further characterization procedure. Two different types of BA NPs, hydrophilic and organophilic, were used in order to assess the impact of particles surface on the resin characteristics. CEOS synthesis by condensation reaction was confirmed using 13C and 29Si NMR. Changes in CEOS photocuring process, resulting from particles incorporation, were monitored by real-time IR spectroscopy. At the same time, the thermal behaviour was evaluated by DSC and TGA methods. Morphology of the coatings was investigated by means of SEM operated in transmission mode.
It was observed that BA presence increased the epoxy conversion degree and glass transition temperature. Material formulations providing best film characteristics were determined with regard to the particle type and loading. Compared to the hydrophilic nanoparticles, organophilic BA NPs yield superior overall performance of the foils.
Organic-inorganic nanostructured materials have drawn much attention over the past decade, particularly due to their versatile and outstanding properties. Possessing the properties between those of polymers and those of glasses, siloxane-based resins are non-toxic, easy to synthesize and process hybrid materials, that hold a promising potential in the field of advanced coatings.
Photocurable resins are nowadays widely used as coatings due to their unique advantages. In particular, cationic ring-opening curing is not inhibited by oxygen, leads to low degree of shrinkage and superior adhesion. The most important, it enables production of high-quality coatings within short exposure times without applying temperature, thus, minimizing the presence of the thermal stress in the substrate. Photocured Cycloaliphatic-Epoxy Oligosiloxane (CEO) resin was reported to be used as encapsulation material for organic electronics. However, further reinforcement of CEO properties is desired to achieve requested device lifetime. One of the common approaches to improve material characteristics is by embedding inorganic nanoparticles into polymer matrix. It has been shown that the resulted nanocomposites exhibit enhanced functional properties included but not limited by optical, mechanical, thermal and barrier ones.
In this work we focused on the incorporation of Boehmite nanoparticles (BA) into CEO matrix as a tool to strengthen the film properties and to study the main changes occurred in the material behavior with regard to its photocuring kinetics, thermal stability and glass transition. Particular interest was focused on the role of particle surface in nanocomposite properties. Hence, BA particles without (HP14) and with organic surface modifier (OS1) at different loadings
(up to 10 wt%) were applied in this study. Morphology investigation with SEM operated in transmission mode showed good BA dispersion forming
network-like structure. At the same time, distribution of particles differed for HP14 and OS1 as a result of different interaction in CEO-solvent-particles system. CEO structure obtained via non-hydrolytic sol-gel reaction was verified by 13C and 29Si NMR. In situ monitoring of film curing was performed using
RT-IR spectroscopy. A slight increase of final convention degree with particle incorporation was observed in contrast to the considerable decrease of curing efficiency reported previously for similar system. Further, the cured hybrid nanocomposite films were analyzed by TGA and DSC, which revealed impact of surface modifier on thermal stability and glass transition temperature.
UV-curing coatings are nowadays widely used due to their unique advantages. High-quality coatings can be obtained at short curing times and low temperatures so that thermal stress to the substrate is minimised. Photocured Cycloaliphatic-Epoxy Oligosiloxane (CEO) resin was reported to be used as encapsulation material for organic electronics. However, further reinforcement of CEO film properties is desired to achieve requested device lifetime.
In this work we introduced Boehmite nanoparticles (BA) into CEO matrix in order to modify the film properties and study the main changes of the material behaviour with regard to its photocuring kinetics, thermal stability and glass transition. Particular interest was focused on the role of particle surface in nanocomposite properties. Hence, BA particles without (HP14) and with organic surface modifier (OS1) at different loadings (up to 10 wt%) were applied in this study. Morphology investigation with SEM operated in transmission mode showed good BA dispersion forming network-like structure. At the same time, distribution of particles differed for HP14 and OS1 as a result of different interaction in CEO-solvent-particles system. CEO structure obtained via non-hydrolytic sol-gel reaction was verified by 13C and 29Si NMR. In situ monitoring of film curing was performed using RT-IR spectroscopy. No significant modification of final convention degree with particle incorporation was observed in contrast to considerable decrease of curing efficiency reported previously for similar system by Esposito et al.,2008. Further, cured hybrid nanocomposite films were analysed by TGA and DSC, which revealed impact of surface modifier on film thermal properties.
Methods and materials are presented here, which enable the manufacturing of fine structures using a 3D-printing method known as two-photon polymerization (2PP). As traditional photolithography methods for structuring ceramic slurries do not function with 2PP, due to light scattering on ceramic particles, a novel water-based photoresist with high ceramic loading of extremely well dispersed ceramic nano particles was developed. This photoresist is basically a ceramic slurry containing a photocurable agent and a photoinitiator to be crosslinkable with the 780 nm wavelength femtosecond laser light source of the 2PP machine. It is demonstrated that it is possible to gain a highly transparent and low viscous slurry suitable for 2PP processing. This work shows the development of the slurry, first printing results and the post-printing processes required to form three dimensional ceramic microstructures consisting of alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ).
Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites—What Can Be Learned from Dielectric and Calorimetric Investigations?
(2022)
Epoxy-based nanocomposites are promisingmaterials for industrial applications (i.e., aerospace, marine, and automotive industries) due to their extraordinary mechanical and thermal properties. Regardless of the broad field of applications, there is still a considerable need to identify their structure–property relationships. Here, a detailed dielectric and calorimetric (DSC and fast scanning calorimetry) study on different epoxy-based nanocomposites was performed. Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with diethylenetriamine (DETA) was employed as the polymeric matrix, which was reinforced with three diverse nanofillers that exhibit different interaction strengths with the epoxy matrix (halloysite nanotubes, surface modified halloysite nanotubes, and taurine-modified layered double hydroxide). The structure, molecular mobility, and vitrification behavior are discussed in detail, focusing on the intrinsic structural and dynamic heterogeneity, as well as interfacial properties.
Broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10-1 to 109 Hz is employed to revisit the segmental dynamics of the miscible blend system poly(vinyl methyl ether)/polystyrene (PVME/PS) in dependence on the composition firstly in the bulk state. Here especially the case of high polystyrene concentrations is considered. It is important to note that only the molecular dynamics of PVME segments as affected by PS is observed because the dipole moment of polystyrene is negligible. Three relaxation processes are found which are due to fluctuations of differently constrained or confined PVME segments. The degree of the confinement of PVME segments due to PS is discussed in dependence on the composition.
Further a spatial confinement is considered by investigating thin films of the PVME/PS blend where the film thickness was varied from 100 nm down to 5 nm. Two concentrations of PVME/PS (50/50 wt% and 25/75 wt%) are investigated. To measure nanometer thick films a novel electrode system based on nanostructured electrodes was employed. Nanostructured electrodes can be considered as a cut-edge technology in dielectric spectroscopy. The relaxation spectra of the films showed multiple processes which are discussed in dependence on the film thickness.
The complex effect of nanoparticles on an epoxy-based and anhydride cured DGEBA/Boehmite nanocomposite with different particle concentrations is considered in this chapter. A combination of X-ray scattering, calorimetry (fast scanning and temperature modulated calorimetry) and dielectric spectroscopy was employed to characterize the structure, vitrification kinetics and the molecular dynamics of the nanocomposites. Firstly, the unfilled polymer was found to be intrinsically heterogeneous, showing regions with different crosslinking density, indicated by two separate dynamic glass transitions. Moreover, the glass transition temperature decreases with increasing nanoparticle concentration, as a result of changes in the crosslinking density. In addition, it was shown that the incorporation of nanoparticles can result in simultaneous increase in the number of mobile segments for low nanoparticle concentrations and on the other hand, for higher loading degrees the number of mobile segments decreases, due to the formation of an immobilized interphase.
Thin polymeric films are of great importance of high number of high-tech applications for instance in sensors and nanoelectronics. Form the scientific point of view thin films with thickness below 100 nm are ideal model systems to study confinement effects on its properties for instance on the molecular relaxation processes. In this contribution an overview is presented about the behavior of different systems as investigated by nanosized relaxation spectroscopy like broadband dielectric spectroscopy employing nano structured capacitors and AC chip calorimetry complimented by ellipsometry. The systems considered are PVME1, PVME/PS blends2,3 P2VP4, PBAC5 and polysulfone6. Besides the film also the adsorbed layer on the substrate prepared by a leaching approach and investigated by AFM is considered.1,4-7. For these investigationsss it is found that the adsorbed layer itself exhibits a relaxation dynamics which might be assigned either to molecular motions or to adsorptions desorption kinetics.
Polymers with intrinsic microporosity are promising candidates for the active separation layer in gas separation membranes. These polymers are characterized by a high permeability and reasonable permselectivity. The latter point is somehow surprising because for microporous systems a more Knudson-like diffusion is expected then a size dependent temperature activated sieving process. It was argued in the framework of a random gate model that molecular fluctuations on a time scale from ps to ns are responsible for the permselectivity.
Here series of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) as well as microporous polynorbornenes with bulky Si side groups and a rigid backbone are considered. The polymers have different microporosity characterized by high BET surface area values.
First inelastic time-of-flight neutron scattering measurements were carried out to investigate the low frequency density of state (VDOS). The measured data show the characteristic low frequency excess contribution to the VDOS above the Debye sound wave level, generally known as the Boson peak in glass-forming materials. It was found that the frequency of the maximum position of the Boson peak correlates with the BET surface area value.
Secondly elastic scans as well as quasielastic neutron scattering measurements by a combination of neutron time-of-flight and backscattering have been out. A low temperature relaxation process was found for both polymers. This process was assigned to the methyl group rotation. It was analysed in terms of a jump diffusion in a three-fold potential. The analysis of the dependence of the elastic incoherent structure factor on the scattering vector yields the number of methyl groups which might be immobilized.
The neutron scattering experiments were accompanied by fast scanning calorimetry and broadband dielectric investigations as well as atomistic molecular dynamic simulations.
Spatial Inhomogeneity, Interfaces and Complex Vitrification Behavior of Epoxy-based Materials
(2021)
This work deals with an in-depth comparative investigation of the structure, molecular mobility and vitrification kinetics of three bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA)-based materials with different nanofillers: taurine-modified layered double hydroxide (T-LDH) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The chosen methodology comprises I) small – and wide – angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) II) calorimetry in the forms of a) conventional DSC and b) static fast scanning calorimetry (FSC), III) broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), as well as IV) specific heat spectroscopy in the forms of a) temperature modulated DSC, and b) temperature modulated FSC.
Janus polytricyclononenes (PTCN) with rigid backbones and flexible n-alkyl (n = propyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl) are novel, innovative materials that show potential in separating hydrocarbons. These superglassy polymers were designed to show an enhanced and controllable gas permeability via flexible alkyl side chains that promote mass transport, as opposed to conventional microporous polymers, where permeability is a function of the free-volume entities.
PTCNs, investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), show nanophase separation between the n-alkyl side chains and the backbones. The size of the nanodomains increases with the length of the n-alkyl side groups. In addition, for the alkyl chain-rich nanodomains a distinct α-relaxation was found by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC). The glass transition of the backbone-rich domains, which is beyond or near to the degradation of the materials, was evidenced by fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) by decoupling it from decomposition, employing high heating rates up to 104 K/s.
Further, Janus PTCNs were studied by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) employing the backscattering IN16B (ILL, Grenoble) and time of flight FOCUS (PSI, Villigen) instruments. For an overview of dynamic processes setting in at different temperatures inelastic (IFWS) and elastic fixed window scans (EFWS) were conducted. IFWS showed that the segmental motions of alkyl-rich nanodomains shift to higher temperatures with increasing alkyl chain length, which agrees with SAXS and BDS findings. For the lowest side chain lengths an additional low temperature relaxation process was found, assigned to methyl group rotations.
In recent years, substantial efforts have been devoted to investigating nanoscopic confinement of polymers, and its effect on glassy dynamics. Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) was used to study the dynamics of ultra-thin films of PVME/PS 50/50 wt% blend, employing a novel nano-structured capacitor sample arrangement. The investigated system shows a complex dynamic behavior. First, an α-relaxation, related to a bulk-like layer was found. Second, an α’-relaxation was observed, characteristic for dynamically asymmetric blends, where the out of equilibrium dynamics is attributed to weakly-cooperative PVME segments relaxing within a frozen environment of PS segments. Thirdly, for thinnest films, an Arrhenius-like process was dominant in the dielectric spectra, indicating localized fluctuations of the segments. Relaxation rates of this process resembled that of the degenerated α-relaxation of the adsorbed layer, found for pure PVME, thus it was assigned accordingly. For thinnest films, this process undergoes a further confinement, due to the topological constraints, introduced by PS. Such multiple confinement effect has not been reported for ultra-thin films of polymer blends, before this study.
The polymer matrix region near a filler surface, termed as the interface, witnessed increasing interest, due to its possible influence on the macroscopic properties of the nanocomposite. The interphase is expecting to have different segmental dynamic, as compared to the pure matrix, which can percolate into the entire system. Here, the segmental dynamics of epoxy/Boehmite nanocomposite was studied by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy. It was found that an artificial relaxation process is present in the nanocomposite, on the contrary to the pure epoxy system. It was assigned to constrained fluctuations of polymer chains in the interfacial region, due to the nanofiller. However, the overall dynamic Tg of the system decreased with increasing filler concentration, indicating higher segmental mobility. This was in accordance with Temperature Modulated DSC investigations of specific heat capacity of the system, which was found to increase with increasing filler concentration, up to 10 wt%, indicating increasing mobility of the polymer matrix segments. Surprisingly, for the highest filler content, the heat capacity decreases, implying a formation of an immobilized rigid amorphous phase in the interfacial region.